A(nother) reread of one of my very favorite graphic novels! ( )

Put Harry Potter, X-Men, Kate Beaton, vintage New Yorker cartoons, and YA paranormal fantasy in a cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously. Serve with a garnish of absurdism.

I loved everything about this book - the elegantly sketchy art, the disjointed vignettes, the quirky world, the memorable characters, the humor. A fun read from one of the creators of This One Summer. ( )

This is a lot of fun — kinda a more prosaic version of Hogwarts, with amped up teen angst. Essentially these are one page vignettes of the trials of high school, but in a school of supernatural, super-heroic, etc., etc. kids. I really enjoyed a lot of the characters — they are very nicely realised, particularly given the snapshot structure. Ultimately it feels more like an extended riff than a coherent plot, though the narrative fills out toward the end. It really feels like Tamaki is giving herself room to scratch various itches — art, existentialism, relationships — without having to take it all too seriously. Which I'm all in favour of. ( )

Wow, I hated this. Rarely will I say that about anything, but this is absolutely not for me.

First, I thought it was a graphic novel and that there was an overarching storyline, which is not the case. This is a collection of unconnected short comics (vignettes?) about some teens and the titular academy. Near the end there's a little bit more coherence but it's too little too late.

Second, the art is very amateurish. Some comics are literally barely fleshed out sketches that are almost hard to parse they're so unfinished. And what is up with Gemma's hair changing size every single time we see her?

Third, what is the point of this all taking place at SuperMutant Magic Academy? The fact that these kids have powers has almost no effect on any plot or scenario - nothing would have been different if this was at a normal school.

Fourth, I just didn't think it was very funny. Marsha is annoying and negative, I have no idea who Cheddar is, Frances is pretentious, Gemma and Trixie are nothings.... there's nothing here for me. Except Everlasting Boy, who will also endure, poor thing. ( )

Unexpectly specific and descriptive vignettes of morbid reality packaged with Jillian Tamaki's wonderous art. ( )